Wukang Road - an old street that condenses the hundred-year modern history of Shanghai

If there is only one street to visit in Shanghai, many old Shanghai people would choose to walk along Wukang Road. Originally built by the American Nanyang Public School Supervisor Frederick O. Hawley, it was called "Hawley Road" and later came under the jurisdiction of the French Concession. The architectural style here is mostly Spanish and French Renaissance, with sycamore trees swaying on both sides of the road, creating a European atmosphere while adding a sense of tranquility. In the movie " Lust, Caution," Tang Wei's character Wang Jiazhi had a secret meeting with Tony Leung's character Mr. Yee at "No. 99 Hawley Road." Many prominent figures, military strategists, industrialists, and literati have lived on Wukang Road, leaving behind 37 historical buildings or residences of famous people. Today, it has undergone a transformation while still retaining its historical charm, with coffee shops and fashionable small stores scattered around, blending the shadows of history with the realities of modern life.

858 Wukang Road - Normandie Apartments

The iconic building on Wukang Road - Normandie Apartments (now known as Wukang Mansion). Covering an area of 1,580 square meters, with a total construction area of 9,275 square meters. The building is primarily a reinforced concrete structure, standing eight stories high with a total height of over 30 meters. Its exterior features a French Renaissance style. Due to its limited geographical location, the ground floor of the building adopts an arcade style, retracting the shop windows inward to leave space for pedestrian walkways.

No. 395 Wukang Road - Former Site of Beiping Research Institute

This physical and chemical building was completed in December 1930. It was the former site of the Physics, Chemistry, Radium, and Pharmacy Institutes of the Beiping Research Institute. The original address was No. 42 Donghuangchenggen, now it is No. 16 Donghuangchenggen North Street. The building faces south, has three floors, and each floor has 16 rooms. At that time, it served as the laboratories and offices for the four research institutes.

390 Wukang Road - Former Italian Consulate Residence

A rare example of Mediterranean architectural style in China. In 1999, the residence was selected as part of the third batch of Shanghai's outstanding historical buildings, and in 2003, it was listed as an immovable cultural relic in Xuhui District.

No. 113 Wukang Road - Former Residence of Ba Jin

This is the residence of Mr. Ba Jin in Shanghai, and it is also a literary sanctuary in the hearts of millions of readers. In September 1955, Ba Jin moved to the residence on Wukang Road. This is the place where he lived the longest in Shanghai. In this garden villa, the joys and sorrows of Ba Jin's later life are intertwined. Here, he wrote the 'Random Thoughts', which is recognized by the intellectual, academic, and literary circles at home and abroad as 'a great book of truth-telling', as well as essays, novels, and translations such as 'Reunion', 'Memoirs of Creation', and 'Past and Thoughts'.

No. 202 Wukang Road - WIYF (Super Popular Ice Cream)

A small shop with long queues that seems to go on forever, owned by the same French owner Frank Pecol as Farine. It seems like overnight, this ice cream shop became a hit on the internet. Flavors like sea salt caramel, dark chocolate almond, rum raisin, and more are all worth trying.